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Clemons fires up fellow Buffs

WR not afraid to challenge his teammates

By Kyle Ringo Camera Sports Writer

Posted:
09/26/2010 11:40:01 PM MDT

Updated:
09/26/2010 11:40:07 PM MDT

Colorado wide receiver Toney Clemons.
(
JEREMY PAPASSO
)

When Toney Clemons was completing a successful prep career back in New Kensington, Pa., at Valley High School becoming one of the top 12 receivers in the nation in 2006, the thought of not seeing the end zone again for nearly four years would have been laughable.

It`s not so funny now, but at least Clemons can laugh about it with his trademark smile after breaking his long drought a week ago in Colorado`s win over Hawaii.

It was fitting that Clemons came up with the biggest play of the day for the Buffs. In fact, it ranks as the biggest offensive play -- or the longest at least, 73 yards -- of the Dan Hawkins` era at CU.

During halftime when the Buffs found themselves down 10-0 in their stadium to an opponent nearly everyone thought they would be able to handle, Clemons, a junior wide receiver, got in his teammates` faces and challenged them on a man-to-man level.

"Guys here, they need to see it first for it to be something to follow," Clemons said. "So I like to do what I have to do on and off the field, encourage guys, motivate guys. You know I`m trying to become a motivator of men. Sometimes you`ve got to be willing to wear your emotions on your sleeve and I`m willing to do that."

It`s possible Clemons` halftime challenge to teammates could be viewed as a turning point in the season later this year.

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Maybe it will be remembered as another fiery moment in the locker room of a struggling college footballteam.

The point is it worked well in pumping some life into the Buffs who scored 31 points and amassed more than 300 yards of total offense in a come-from-behind win. It also established Clemons as the emotional leader of a program that has been badly in need of one.

"I was telling guys, 'If you`re not ready to come out there and play. If you`re not ready to come of this locker room and play for the name on the front of that jersey, stay in here. If you don`t have goosebumps right now itching to go out there and show yourself, I don`t want you in that huddle with me,'" Clemons said. "You`ve got to call guys out personally and send messages that hit them personally. I think I did that."

The Buffs already had retaken the lead when Clemons struck with his big play. On third-and-8 from the Colorado 27-yard line, quarterback Tyler Hansen scrambled to escape pressure. He spotted Clemons down the west sideline and motioned for him to go deep. Clemons caught Hansen`s pass in stride and used his 4.3-second speed in the 40-yard dash to outrun everyone to the end zone.

"He`s obviously a big guy and he`s fast and physical and all of that," Hawkins said. "I think he`s also got a certain amount of swagger, and I think he has gotten progressively better as he has relaxed more.

"He was just ballin` out on scout team last year cause he was just having fun. Then I think he got all this pressure in his head. I thought during spring ball, particularly the first part of it, he was too uptight all the time. But I think he has relaxed a little bit more.

"I think you saw it last Saturday. I mean, when was the last time we had a 73-yard pass play?"

Clemons chose to attend Michigan out of high school and played for the Wolverines for two years before deciding to transfer when he didn`t see himself fitting into the system used by coach Rich Rodriguez. Some questioned Clemons and labeled the decision selfish, but Clemons never doubted he was making the right call.

He suffered through a 3-9 season on the sidelines in Boulder last year, knowing he could help the team if not for the NCAA transfer rule that requires players to sit out a year when they switch schools. Colorado fans often heard of Clemons` big-play ability last fall and in the spring and Folsom Field erupted last week when many of those fans finally had evidence to support the hype.

Clemons caught 11 passes for 101 yards in 19 games at Michigan. Through his first three games as a Buff, he is the second leading receiver on the team with nine catches for 146 yards and that long-awaited return trip to the end zone.

Clemons said he doesn`t want to have to get in his teammates` faces again the way he did at halftime of the Hawaii game, but he sees himself as a leader and won`t hesitate if he believes it is warranted. He said the more he makes plays, the more his teammates will be inclined to listen when he does choose to speak up.

"It`s frustrating to see guys come out and not play to their potential when you know guys are capable of certain things," Clemons said. "We have a problem with starting slow. It`s something we`re still working on. There are certain things that fire guys up. I`ve just got to find out about guys and see what gets under their skin. So far I`ve been doing a good job. It`s getting guys ready to go out there and perform."

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